Military Bowl® Updates

Sergeant Major Bryan B. Battaglia named Grand Marshal of the Military Bowl Parade in Annapolis

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, benefiting the USO, announced today that Sergeant Major Bryan B. Battaglia, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the senior non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces, will be the Grand Marshal of the Military Bowl Parade that will kick off gameday festivities on Friday, Dec. 27.

The parade, which will be led by the world-renowned Budweiser Clydesdales, begins in downtown Annapolis near City Dock at 11 a.m. The route proceeds up Main Street before eventually working its way to Rowe Boulevard and concluding on Taylor Avenue adjacent to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

The Military Bowl between the University of Maryland and Marshall University begins at 2:30 p.m. The game will air on ESPN. Tickets are available by calling 888-841-2787 or visiting militarybowl.org. The box office will open at 11 a.m. on gameday.

“We are honored that Sergeant Major Battaglia will serve as the Grand Marshal,” Military Bowl President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “What a perfect way to start our first game in Annapolis. We are looking forward to a terrific day of football and fun.”

Battaglia, 52, joined the Marine Corps in 1979. He serves as the principal military advisor to the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters involving joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force and joint development for enlisted personnel.

In addition to the Clydesdales, the parade will feature bands, cheerleaders, mascots, color guards and other performers, as well as several recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor, which is given for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

Celebrity VJ Tracy Hart will be the parade announcer and will broadcast live on Maryland’s only statewide radio network, KHZTV.com, including WYRE-810 in Annapolis, WAMD-970 in Aberdeen, WJSS-1330 in Havre de Grace and WKHZ-1460 in Easton.

Parade spectators are encouraged to park in the Annapolis public parking garages and use the Circulator Trolley to get around the city on gameday. The Circulator’s route will run through downtown Annapolis and out West Street, picking up people along the way, and take Taylor Avenue to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Circulator is free on gameday.

The parade will conclude at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, where spectators can join the official tailgate party that begins at 11 a.m. in the West/Blue parking lot. Admission to the tailgate also is free, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The tailgate features live music from the popular reggae band Jah Works, which has been a member of Armed Forces Entertainment, and the popular local country music band Brady J & the Reaction. Budweiser Build-A-Bars and the Clydesdales will help round out the pregame party.